Forest Products Industry

The Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA) has backed calls from the national peak forestry body for the Federal Government to withdraw support for the NSW Government’s proposed Improved Native Forest Management in Multiple-use Public Forests (INFM) method. Source: Timberbiz In a media statement, the Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) CEO, Diana Hallam, said that there were serious questions over the validity and integrity of the INFM method proposed by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (NSW DCCEEW). The plan, which has received support from the Federal Government, proposes ending sustainable native forestry as part of a model for improving Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCU) program. Despite being a plan by the NSW Government, to work it relies on sustainable native forestry to be ended across Australia. TFPA Chief Executive Officer, Nick Steel, said the model tries to force the Tasmanian Government to march in lockstep with the radical proposal by the NSW Government. “The model proposed by the NSW Government, and backed by the Federal Government, would see the end of sustainable native forestry in Tasmania” Mr Steel said. “Our industry has bipartisan support in Tasmania. But this looks like another case of a mainland state trying to impose its opinions onto our island. “This proposal also flies directly into the face of commitments to protect Tasmanian native forestry made by Anthony Albanese before the last federal election.” Before the federal poll in 2022, Mr Albanese wrote to Tasmanian timber workers promising “if I become Prime Minister, a Government I lead will not shut down the native forest industry in Tasmania”. “The industry welcomed the commitment from Mr Albanese in 2022. Tasmanians saw this as a pledge not to cut jobs in regional parts of our state,” Mr Steel said. “However, the Federal Government’s support of this new INFM model flies directly in the face of that promise. “We would welcome Mr Albanese publicly reiterating the promise he made to Tasmanian forestry workers in 2022, to continue to support our respected, responsible and renewable industry,” Mr Steel said.

WoodSolutions has launched an updated timber framing campaign with new assets and expanded digital push. The timber framing campaign is now live on the WoodSolutions website with updated resources and assets to boost adoption. Source: Timberbiz Managed by Forest & Wood Products Australia’s WoodSolutions program, the refreshed and updated page and campaign assets are available free to download by industry to support their timber framing promotional efforts. The decision to integrate the timber framing campaign under the management of the WoodSolutions program was made to strategically harness its expansive and reputable audience, along with its robust and growing database. This move aims to maximise the campaign’s reach and deepen engagement with key stakeholders across the industry, ensuring the messages resonate with a broad and influential audience. With tens of thousands of users each month, the WoodSolutions website is a powerful platform to promote the pro-timber framing messaging. The campaign will be supported with a boosted digital campaign that will target key decision makers in large residential building companies and inspire them to embrace the campaign and its co-branding customisation opportunities. The digital campaign will also engage with proud entrepreneurial tradespeople and share the promotional assets across their platforms and business promotion. The overall aim of these efforts is to support building a better business by promoting the use of renewable timber framing. As with everything that FWPA and WoodSolutions does, the rebranded creative assets are built on valuable insights gathered over the six years since the campaign’s launch. Key findings from research by the Timber Framing Collective include: Builders responses: More likely to rate sustainability credentials as important in their choice of materials compared to previous year (increase from 27% to 48%).   The influencers to choose timber framing are: Flexibility if plans change Easy to renovate Renewable and responsibly sourced There is an increase in positive sentiment towards the timber industry (74% to 83%) and about how the timber industry impacts the environment (51% to 72%)   Consumers say: Still rate sustainability credentials as an important part of the building process (59%) Most consumers would like their builder to provide materials that are good for the environ-ment. However, cost of materials is increasingly important in the decision-making process.   Influences to choose timber framing are: Low cost Fast to assemble Environmentally Research indicates a strong interest in sustainable building materials among both consumers and builders, presenting our industry with an opportunity to share an impactful sustainability narrative. Specifically, builders favour proof points that highlight forestry replanting practices, alongside straightforward messages about the advantages of timber framing. We can effectively communicate through messages such as: “Choose renewable, sustainable timber framing,” “Certified sustainable timber framing is the responsible choice,” and “Your timber framed home stores carbon absorbed from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and helps address climate change.” It has been found that consumers respond positively to evidence related to sustainability and rejuvenation, particularly statements that are clear and informative such as: Timber framing is a natural way to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Trees grow for around 30 years before they are harvested, allowing them to capture substantial amounts of CO₂. Approximately half the dry weight of timber framing is carbon, which is stored for the life of the timber. People have negative perceptions about logging and deforestation and often think cutting down trees is a bad thing. However, when timber comes from a sustainably managed forest, it is one of the most renewable building materials available. In Australia, we replant over 70 million seedlings every year and our softwood plantations grow the amount of timber framing needed for an average home every two and a half minutes. Timber has the lowest embodied energy of all mainstream building materials. This means that the entire production process of timber framing from planting and harvesting to manufacturing, transportation, and installation uses the least amount of energy. And recent technologies and innovations are increasing yields from each log, decreasing waste, and reducing energy use further.   New assets available for download include: A fact sheet which is a quick and easy conversation starter about renewable timber framing. A printable poster and pullup banner to promote your sustainable business practices at events. A flyer to share with clients to dive deeper into the sustainability benefits of choosing timber framing. A white labelled certificate to present your clients with recognition of choosing sustainable timber framing. And social media tiles to share across your channels to promote your business’ commitment to sustainability. Download these resources now at https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/timber-framing

The Australian Forest Products Association has welcomed new Forest and Wood Products Australia board directors – Matt Crapp, Dr Michelle Freeman and Cameron McDonald and thanks outgoing directors – Stephen Dadd, Nick Roberts and Yvonne Pengilly for their service and commitment to our sector’s national Research and Development Corporation. Source: Timberbiz The changes to the board were made at the FWPA annual general meeting. FWPA Chair Craig Taylor said the new directors would bring unique perspectives and similarly strong commitment to excellence as their outgoing colleagues Mr Taylor extended his appreciation and recognition to continuing board members Katie Fowden and Professor Tony Arnel, and to the entire FWPA team led by Andrew Leighton FWPA’s CEO. AFPA Chief Executive Officer Diana Hallam congratulated the new board members. “All three are well known to AFPA and we’re thrilled to see such high calibre people recruited to the FWPA Board. Matt already makes a valuable contribution on the AFPA Board, while Michelle has done an excellent job in recent times as Forestry Australia President, and Cameron has made a substantial contribution to AFPA and our Growers Chamber over several years,” she said. “I also thank our current AFPA Chair, Stephen Dadd for his dedication to serving FWPA for nine years, as well as Nick Roberts and Yvonne Pengilly. Chair Craig Taylor, Chief Executive Officer Andrew Leighton and the rest of the FWPA team deserve praise for their ongoing work and efforts in support of our sector. “FWPA performs vital work for Australia’s forest industries and it’s essential that passionate and qualified industry representatives are involved in the governance of the organisation. As we head into a Federal Election year particularly, AFPA looks forward to continuing our working relationship with FWPA for the betterment of our sector and the Australian economy,” Ms Hallam said.